Incinerating commode

ABSTRACT

An incinerating commode for use in disposing of human waste, including a commode body having seat means operatively associated therewith whereby the commode can be used for receiving waste deposited by a human. A combustion chamber is located below the commode body whereby human waste can be transferred by gravity from the commode body into the combustion chamber. Closure means is operatively supported between the commode body and the combustion chamber for effecting a closure of the combustion chamber during an incinerating operation. Cyclically operable heat source means is operatively associated with the combustion chamber during an incinerating operation. Cyclically operable heat source means is operatively associated with the combustion chamber for developing a combustion flame through and beneath the combustion chamber to cause human waste deposited therein to be incinerated. Blower means is provided for cooling the combustion chamber and purging the ash by-products of combustion from the combustion chamber in response to completion of an incinerating operation. The combustion chamber includes comminuting means for reducing the particle size of waste material being incinerated. The incinerating commode included control means for initiating and for controlling the length of the combustion chamber operation, including incinerating, cooling and purging.

United States Patent [191 West [451 May 27, 1975 INCINERATING COMMODE[76] Inventor: James I. West, 7856 Feilder Road,

J onesboro, Ga. 30230 [22] Filed: May 4, 1972 [21] Appl. No.: 250,232

Related US. Application Data [63] Continuation-in-part of Ser. No.134,650, April 16,

[52] US. Cl 4/131; 110/9; 110/9 E [51] Int. Cl A47k 11/02 [58] Field ofSearch 4/131, 118; 110/9, 9 E

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,230,913 1/1966 La Mere110/9 3,320,907 5/1967 Duncan 110/9 3,474,468 10/1969 Blankenship...4/131 3,522,613 8/1970 Botsford 4/131 3,694,825 10/1972 Kufrin 4/1313,733,617 5/1973 Bennett 4/131 X Primary Examiner-Henry K. ArtisAttorney, Agent, or Firm.loe 0. Bolt, Jr.

[5 7] ABSTRACT An incinerating commode for use in disposing of humanwaste, including a commode body having seat means operatively associatedtherewith whereby the commode can be used for receiving waste depositedby a human. A combustion chamber is located below the commode bodywhereby human waste can be transferred by gravity from the commode bodyinto the combustion chamber. Closure means is operatively supportedbetween the commode body and the combustion chamber for effecting aclosure of the combustion chamber during an incinerating operation.Cyclically operable heat source means is operatively associated with thecombustion chamber for developing a combustion flame through and beneaththe combustion chamber to cause human waste deposited therein to beincinerated. Blower means is provided for cooling the combustion chamberand purging the ash by-products of combustion from the combustionchamber in response to completion of an incinerating operation. Thecombustion chamber includes comminuting means for reducing the particlesize of waste material being incinerated. The incinerating commodeincluded control means for initiating and for controlling the length ofthe combustion chamber operation, including incinerating, cooling andpurging.

15 Claims, 11 Drawing Figures PATENTEBHAYZYIQYS SHEET 8 (if 6 FIGINCINERATING COMMODE CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION Thisapplication is a continuation-in-part application of prior U. S.application, Ser. No. 134,650 for INCIN- ERATING COMMODE, filed Apr. 16,1971.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The invention relates to an apparatus foruse in disposing of human waste. More particularly, this inventionincludes an incinerating commode wherein incineration converts solidwaste to an ash and removes the water content of the waste.

In the field of human waste disposal, a number of methods have beenemployed for disposing of the solid and liquid waste. Commonly, sewagetreatment plants are provided which are connected via sewage pipelinesto domestic and commerical facilities. As population has increased, thecapabilities of the sewage treatment plants have been severely strainedand many such plants have been unable to satisfactorily process theincreased waste of the community. Such inadequacy of sewage plantfacilities has necessitated the expansion of facilities at great expenseto the taxpayers. In addition, the inadequacy of the sewage treatmentfacilities has also led to the pollution of streams and rivers normallyused for water supply and recreation facilities.

In remote areas where sewage treatment facilities are not available.septic tank means are often employed to dispose of the human waste. Aseptic tank utilizes bacterial action in the tank to dispose of solidwaste and utilizes a subterranean drainage field for disposing of theliquid waste. However, in certain areas where the soil conditions arenot satisfactory, utilization of septic tanks creates unhealthyconditions in their use. A number of municipalities have adopted strictcodes to regulate the use of septic tanks.

In remote areas where a sewage treatment facility is not available andwherein septic tanks are not feasible, oxidation ponds are employed todispose of human waste. In utilizing oxidation ponds, a fungus isutilized to dispose of the solid waste with the liquid waste beingdisposed of through evaporation or surface drainage means. The use ofoxidation ponds requires a large ground area and is unattractive inappearance.

A number of attempts have been made to devise chemical and incineratingcommode facilities for use in disposing of human waste. However, theprior art chemical and incinerating human waste disposal apparatus areextremely complex in construction and operation, uneconomical tomanufacture and unreliable in performance.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The above disadvantages of the prior art havebeen overcome by the present invention which basically includes anupwardly open commode body disposed above an incinerating combustionchamber wherein the human waste can be deposited in the commode body andtransferred by gravity into the combustion chamber. The combustionchamber includes waste comminuting means for reducing the particle sizeto human waste to be incinerated and includes heat source meansoperative for incinerating the comminuted human waste.

LII

An important feature of the present invention includes the shape of thecombustion chamber and the location of the heat source means whereby anincinerating flame is directed through and beneath the combustionchamber during an incinerating operation.

Fluid flushing means is connected to the commode body and controlled byselectively operable means for dispensing a predetermined amount ofcleansing fluid into the commode body.

An additional feature of the present invention includes control meansoperable for effecting an automatic cycle of an incinerating operation.

It is therefore a primary object of the present invention to provide anincinerating commode effective for disposing of human waste.

Another object of this invention is to provide an incinerating commodewhereby the human waste can be transferred from the commode body to acombustion chamber by gravity.

A further object of this invention is to provide means for cooling thecombustion chamber during an incinerating operation.

A still further object of this invention is to provide an incineratingcommode having means for reducing the particle size of waste to beincinerated.

A further object of this invention is to provide an incinerating commodehaving means for trapping liquid waste adjacent a combustion chamberwhereby intense heat developed in the combustion chamber will evaporatethe liquid waste material.

Still another object of this invention is to provide an incineratingcommode having selectively operable closure means operable forinitiating an incinerating operation. 5

Another object of this invention is to provide an incinerating meansoperatively associated with a commode body and including means forautomatically purging combustion chamber of both gas and ash byproductsof combustion in response to completion of an incinerating operation.

An additional object of this invention is to provide an incineratingcommode operable for the disposal of human waste which is simple inconstruction and operation, economical to manufacture and reliable" inperformance.

These and other objects and advantages in the details of constructionwill become apparent upon reading the following description of theilustrative embodiments embodying the principles of the presentinvention,with reference to the attached drawings wherein like referencenumerals have been used to refer to like parts throughout the severalfigures, and wherein:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of anincinerating commode embodying the principles of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a vertical sectional view taken along lines 22 of FIG. 4, withcertain parts omitted and certain parts added thereto for purpose ofclarity;

FIG. 3 is a vertical'sectional view taken along lines 33 of FIG. 2, withcertain parts omitted and certain parts added thereto for purpose ofclarity;

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the incinerating commode, with certainparts broken away and shown in section for purpose of clarity;

FIG. 5 is a top plain view showing the combustion pot and comminutingplate support and drive means;

FIG. 6 is a vertical sectional view taken along lines 6-6 of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a vertical sectional view taken along line 7-7 of FIG. 2, withcertain parts omitted for purpose of clarity;

FIG. 8 is a horizontal sectional view taken along lines 8-8 of FIG. 2,with certain parts omitted for purpose of clarity;

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary perspective view showing a comminuting plate andcombustion pot side wall construction;

FIG. 10 is a horizontal sectional view taken substantially along line10-10 of FIG. 2; and

FIG. 11 is an electrical schematic diagram showing the controlcircuitry.

DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENT Referring now to the drawing,the incinerating commode embodying the principles of the presentinvention is shown and generally represented by the reference numeral10. The incinerating commode 10 includes a base support frame means 11having upright rear wall means 12, front wall means 13 and a pair ofside wall means 14, 15. The commode 10 includes a horizontal top surface16 defining an opening 17 formed by a down turned flange 18.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, a waste receiving commode body 20 issupported from the horizontal top wall 16 by conventional means such aswelding (not shown) and include downwardly converging side walls 21, 22(FIG. 3), a downwardly, inwardly sloping rear wall 23 and a downwardlysloping outwardly curved front wall 24. The bottom edges of commode bodywalls 21-24 defines a discharge opening 25, through which waste can betransferred to a combustion chamber as will be described below.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the commode 10 includes a commode seat 30having a pair of rearwardly extending pivot support brackets 31, 32which are rotatably supported on a transverse hinge pin 33. The commodeseat 30 is provided with an annular seal member 34 which is attached tothe bottom surface of the commode seat and is adapted to be supported inabutting contact with the top horizontal supporting surface 16 of thehousing to provide an effective seal therebetween/A commode closure lid35 is supported above 1' seat means 30 in a conventional manner andincludes a rearwardly extending support bracket 36.

Support bracket 36 isfixed to hinge pin 33 whereby angular movement oflid 35 will effect corresponding angular movement of hinge pin 33. Hingepin 33 is pivotally supported by a support block 37 which includes apair of horizontally spaced upstanding support members 38, 39. Supportmembers 38, 39 are provided with coaxially aligned openingscomplementary to hinge pin 33 and are adapted to pivotally support hingepin 33. The support members 38, 39 are horizontally spaced to provide asufficient space to receive the seat pivot support brackets 31, 32 withthe seat pivot support brackets 31, 32 detailed in horizontal spacing toprovide an area for receiving the lid pivot support bracket 36. The seatbrackets 31, 32 are pivotally carried by hinge pin 33, with the lidsupport bracket 36 being fixed to the hinge pin by conventional lockingscrew means (not shown) so that angular displacement of lid 35 willeffect corresponding angular displacement of hinge pin 33 forcontrolling a combustion chamber actuating mechanism as will bedescribed below. The commode closure lid 35 is also provided withannular sealing member 40 which is adapted to contact and effect asealed relationship with the upper surface of seat 30 when in a closedposition.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the commode body is provided with an annularcleansing fluid dispensing manifold 50 which is supported beneath thehousing downwardly turned flange l8 and the commode body walls 21-24 andincludes a number of openings (not shown) for dispensing a cleansingfluid downwardly along the surface of the commode body walls 21-25 sothat they can be effectively cleansed after use. The dispensing manifold50 is operatively connected by a supply line 51 to fluid pump means 52.The fluid pump means 52 includes a conventional electrical motor meansoperable for dispensing a predetermined quantity of fluid in response toeach cyclic operation. Fluid is supplied to the pump means 52 through asupply line 53. Supply line 53 is connected in fluid flow communicationwith a fluid reservoir 54.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, a conventional switch actuator 55 is providedfor effecting cyclic operation of the pump means 52 whereby apredetermined quantity of cleansing fluid is dispensed from thereservoir means 54 through supply lines 53 and input supply line 51 tothe dispensing manifold 50. The sequence of operation of the fluiddispensing means will be described in detail below in the description ofthe operation of the incinerating commode.

Referring now particularly to FIGS. 2-4, the incinerating commode 10includes a combustion chamber generally represented by the referencenumeral 100. The combustion chamber is supported on the base frame 11below the commode body discharge opening 25 whereby waste deposited inthe commode body can be transferred by gravity to the combustionchamber. The combustion chamber includes a pair of horizontally spacedparallel vertical side walls 101, 102. The combustion chamber isprovided with a bottom wall 103 which includes a rearwardly extendinghorizontal portion 103a, a downwardly recessed liquid trap portion10312, and an upwardly angled front wall portion 1036. As shown in FIG.2, a horizontal top wall 104 is connected between side walls 101, 102 invertically spaced parallel relationship with horizontal bottom wallportion 103a to define a discharge conduit portion 105. The dischargeconduit portion 105 is adapted to be connected in fluid flowcommunication with conventional vent exhaust and filter means asdescribed in applicants above mentioned eo-pending application andreference is made to applicants above mentioned co-pending applicationfor details of construction of the discharge conduit and filter means.The discharge conduit 105 includes a conventional damper means 105awhich is pivotally supported by shaft 105!) journaled in side walls 101,102.

The combustion chamber 100 includes a combustion and waste receiving pot110. The combustion pot is supported within the combustion chamberdefined by side walls 101, 102 and bottom wall 103. Combustion pot 110includes a pair of parallel vertically extending side walls 111, 112 anda curved bottom wall structure 113. The curved bottom wall structure 113includes an upwardly curved rear wall portion 113a, a concave bottomportion 113b and an upwardly angled front wall portion 113v. The concavebottom wall portion 11312 and upwardly angled front wall portion 1130are supported in vertically spaced relationship relative to thecombustion chamber wall portion 103b, 1030, respectively, to define anairflow passageway 114.

As shown in FIG. 3, the combustion chamber waste receiving pot sidewalls111, 112 are provided with a plurality of horizontally extending lugprojections 120. The horizontal lug projections are provided forcooperation with aligned complementary openings 121 formed in a pair ofreciprocal operable comminuting plates 122, 123. Each of the comminutingplates 122, 123 is provided with a plurality of the openings 121. Thecomminuting plates 122, 123 includes a pair of upstanding support rods126, 127 and 128, 129, respectively. The upper end of rods 126, 127, arefixed to horizontal laterally extending rod members 130, 131,respectively. with rod elements 128, 129 being connected to horizontallaterally extending rod members 132, 133, respectively. The rod members130-133 are extended through complementary openings formed in thecombustion pot side walls 111, 112 and combustion chamber side walls101, 102. The outer ends of rod members 130, 131 are connected togetherby connecting member 136 and are supported by a pair of forwardly anddownwardly extending rod members 137, 138, which are provided withinwardly directed parallel arranged horizontal rod portions 139, 140,respectively. The horizontal rod portions 139, 140 are slidably receivedwithin complementary openings formed in bearing block means 141. Aconnecting rod member 142 is provided between horizontal rod portions139,

140 with an intermediate portion of rod 142 supporting a universalconnecting element 143. The universal connecting element 143 isconnected by a spring biased rod and piston means 144 to a rotary crankmember 145. The rotary crank member 145 is fixed to a drive shaft 146which extends from a conventional motor drive means 147. Crank member145 is provided with a radially off-set drive pin 148 which is connectedto the member 144 such that rotary movement of crank pin 148 willprovide reciprocating movement to the universal connecting element 143which will in turn provide a reciprocating movement to the comminutingplate 122.

As shown in FIGS. 3-5, the horizontally rod support members 132, 133 arefixed to each other by a horizontal connecting element 156 which issupported by a pair of rod members 157, 158 fixed to a pair ofhorizontal inwardly extending parallel support rods 159, 160,respectively. Rods 159, 160 are supported within complementary openingsformed in a bearing block support means 161. Rod elements 159, 160 areconnected by a vertically extending rod member 162. An intermediateportion of rod member 162 is provided with a universal connection 163which is connected by a rod and piston spring biased connecting link 164to a crank pin 165. Crank pin 165 is fixed to rotary crank member 145.Crank pins 148 and 165 are oriented at substanitally 180 angularlydisplaced relative to the axis of drive shaft 146 so that an angularrotation of the crank member 145 will effect reciprocating operation ofthe comminuting plates 122, 123 such that theymove inwarldy intosubstantially abutting contact ith each other and are then advancedlaterally outward to a position adjacent the combustion pot side walls111, 112. During the inward movement of the comminuting plates 122, 123material supported therebetween would be broken up and force out throughthe plate openings 121. During an outward displacement of thecomminuting plates 122, 123 the plates will be advanced to apositionwhereby the horizontal lug members 120 will project through the openings12] and will remove any material lodged within the openings. During anincinerating operation, the comminuting plates 122, 123 are continuallyreciprocated inwardly and outwardly relative to each other toeffectively break up waste material deposited in the combustion pot 110whereby the waste material can be more effectively burned during anincinerating operation. A sequence of operation of the wsate comminutingplates 122, 123 will be described in more detail hereinbelow in thedescription of the operation of the incinerating commode.

As shown in FIGS. 2-4, the combustion pot 110 is provided with a lid170. Lid is supported for pivotal movement from an open position, asshown in dotted lines of FIGS. 2, to a closed position by a crosssupport shaft 171. Cross support shaft 171 is pivotally supported bycomplementary openings formed in the combustion chamber side walls 101,102. The combustion pot lid 170 is provided with plurality oftransversely extending downwardly formed flanges 172, each of whichdefines an elongated opening 172a detailed in size to permit airflowtherethrough without permitting the waste material contained in thecomsution pot from being blown from the combustion pot when the lid isin a closed position. In the open position the flanges will aid indirecting air flow downwardly into combustion pot 110 to aid in flushingthe ash byproducts of combustion movement of lid 170 to the closedposition will operate to force any toilet paper solution of combustionpot 110 downwardly into the pot.

The lid is moved from the open to the closed position by means of acamming element 173 which is supported on the upper surface of the lid.Camming element 173 is operatively associated with the a second closurelid means as will be described in more detail hereinbelow for effectingmovement of lid 170 to a combustion pot closed position. Lid 170 ismoved to an upwardly extending open position by means of a counterweight175 which is connected by a link member 176 to the pivot support shaft171 so that the lid will automatically pivot to the opened position whennot held in the closed position by the second closure lid.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the combustion chamber 100 is provided with aburner nozzle 180 which is supplied with a gas and pressurized airmixture through conduit means 181. The conduit means 181 is operativelyassociated with a mixing valve 182 which receives an input of airpressure through conduit means 183 which is detailed to span the widthof the combustion chamber so that a flame developed by the burner nozzlewill be directed across the width of an around the sides of thecombustion pot. The burner nozzle and flared housing 185 is detailed inangular location relative to the combustion pot bottom wall 113 suchthat approximately 80 percent of the flame developed by the burnernozzle will be directed downwardly into the combustion pot andapproximately twenty percent of the flame will be directed around anddownwardly through the passageway 114 fromed between the combustionchamber bottom wall portion 103( and the combustion pot wall portion113C. The angular location of the burner nozzle 180 such that the flameis directed both into the combustion pot wall portion 1130. The angularlocation of the burner nozzle 180 such that the flame is directed bothinto the combustion pot 110 and beneath the surface of the combustionpot is important in effecting a quick and efficient incineration ofwaste products contained in the combustion pot. The bottom of the burnernozzle housing 185 is aligned with combustion chamber bottom wallportion 103C and is spaced from and parallel to combustion pot bottomwall portion 113C to provide optimum direction of the flame relative tothe combustion pot.

Referring now particularly to FIGS. 2-4, 7 and 8, the incineratingcommode includes additinal closure lid 190 which is supported betweenthe combustion chamber 100 and the commode body discharge openings 25.The additional closure lid 190 is horizontally oriented and is supportedalong its lateral side edges by a pair of inwardly directing guidetracks 191, 192, as shown in FIG. 3, and above combustion chamber topwall 104. Lid 190 is operable for movement from an open position inwhich the material transferred through commode body discharge opening 25can fall by gravity into the combustion pot 110 and is movable to aforwardly closed position wherein the forward edge of the lid is insealing contact with the upper surface of the burner nozzle flaredhousing 185, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 4. When the lid 190 is in theforwardly advanced closed position, the combustion chamber will beeffectively sealed so that the flame or heat source means developed bynozzle 180 will be confined within the area of the combustion chamberand the combustion pot. Lid 190 is spring biased to an open position byan elongated tension spring 194 which is connected adjacent one end toan upstanding pin 195 on lid 190 and is connected at its opposite end toan upstanding pin 196 of the housing structure. Lid 190 is moved to aforward closed position by means of an actuator linkage mechanism whichis operatively associated with the commode closure lid 135.

As shown in FIGS. 2, 7 and 8, the actuator linkage mechanism isgenerally represented by the reference numeral 200 and includes a firstlever member 201 which is fixed to an extended end of hinge pin 33 suchthat angular movement of lid 35 will effect corresponding angularmovement of lever 201. An extended end of lever 201 is connected by aconventional pin means 202 to a pair of link members 203, 204. Oppositeends of link members 203, 204 are connected by pin 205 to a controllever 206. Control lever 206 is pivotally supported at an intermediateposition by a pin 207 which is supported between a pair of housing wallmembers 208, 209. An opposite end of control lever 206 is provided witha spring loaded actuator member 210. Actuator member 210 is slidablysupported within a sleeve 211 and is spring biased to an outwardlydisplaced operable position by a compression spring 212.

Actuator member 210 is operatively associated with an upstanding bracket190a which is fixed to the upper surface and adjacent the rear edge oflid 190. When the lid 35 is in a raised position, the control lever 206is pivoted to a rearwardly extending position with the actuator member210 located in abuting contact with the rear edge of bracket 190a.Movement of lid 35 to a closed position will effect a clockwise angulardisplacement of control lever 206 so that the actuator member 210 willcontact the rear edge of bracket a and will slide lid 190 forward to aclosed position. A complete closure of lid 35 will effect an angulardisplacement of actuator member 210 to a position slightly above bracket190a so that the actuator member 210 is not in aubtting contact with therear edge of bracket 190a.

When lid 190 is advanced to a forward closed position. the lid islatched in the closed position by a latch mechanism generallyrepresented by the reference numeral 220. The latch mechanism 220includes an elongated link member 221 which is supported for verticaltranslating movement in a pair of vertically spaced support members 222,223. Latching link 221 includes a bottom edge 224 which is supported onthe upper surface oflid 190 and will permit lid 190 to slidetherebeneath during movement to the forward closed position. When lid190 is advanced to a complete closed position, elongated link 221 isspring biased into position behind the rear edge of the lid 190 tomaintain the lid in a closed latched position. Latching link 221 ismoved to an unlatched position by means of an elongated lever 230. Lever230 is pivotally supported by a stud shaft 231 provided on housing wallstructure 209 with one end of lever 230 being provided with an elongatedslot 232 which receives a horizontal pin means 234 formed on latchinglink 221. An opposite end of lever 230 is pivotally connected by pinmeans 235 to a solenoid plunger element 237. Solenoid plunger 237 isoperatively supported for reciprocating movement within a conventionalelectrically operable solenoid means 238, with the plunger 237 beingbiased outwardly by a conventional compression spring means 239. Thecompression spring 239 will operate to effect counterclockwise biasingmovement of lever 230 which will provide a biasing pressure on latchinglink 221 such that the latching link will automatically move downward toa latched position behind the rear edge of closure lid 190 when the lidis moved to the forward closed position by control lever 206 andactuator member 210.

When solenoid 238 is energized, lever 230 will be angularly dispaced ina clockwise direction causing the latching link 221 to be lifted to aposition above the rear edge of closure lid 190 allowing the tensionspring 194 to bias the closure lid 190 to the rearwardly displaced openposition.

Referring now particularly to FIGS. 2 and 3, the incinerating commode 10includes a vertically oriented transfer conduit means 250 supportedbetween the discharge openings 25 formed in the commode body 20 and thereceiving opening formed in the combustion chamber above combustion pot110. The vertically oriented transfer conduit means 250 includes a pairof side wall structures 251, 252, a front wall structure 253 and a rearwall structure 254. The rear wall structure 254 includes an opening 255which is in flow communication with a discharge conduit 256 of a blowermeans 260.

As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the blower means 260 is supported and drivenby a conventional electric motor means 265. The motor means 265 includesconventional drive shaft means (not shown) extending from opposite endsthereof, with one shaft being operatively associated with blower 260 andwith the other end of the shaft being operatively associated with airblower means 270. The air blower means 270 includes a discharge conduitmeans 271 which is connected in flow communication with the burnernozzle mixing valve 182.

In operation, the blower 270 will develope air pressure through conduit271, mixing valve 182, conduit 181 and to the burner nozzle 180. Whenthe burner nozzle 180 is ignited and supplied with fuel, the burnernozzle will develope a pressurized heat source means within thecombustion chamber and combustion pot to effectively incinerate anywaste products contained within the combustion pot. The air blower means270 is cyclically controlled such that after the waste contained withinthe combustion pot 110 has been effectively incinerated, the burnernozzle 180 will operate to extinguish the flame, with the blowercontinuing to operate to purge the waste by-products of combustion,including combustion ash and unburned fumes, outwardly through thedischarge conduit means 105 and will continue to operate to cool thecombustion chamber to a predetermined temperature.

Since the air blower means 260 is operated by the same shaft fromelectric motor 265, blower 260 will also be operated during anincinerating operation to develope a supply of cooling air which isdischarged through conduit 265, opening 255 into the vertically orientedpassageway 250. The coolinjg air forced into the passageway 250 will beallowed to excape around the upper edges of side walls 251, 252 andfront wall 253. The cooling air developed by blower 260 will then flowthrough a passageway defined between combustion chamber side walls 101,102 and additional horizontally spaced upright wall means 101a, 102a(FIG. 3). The passageway formed between walls 101 and 101a and 102 and102a will allow the cooling air developed by blower 260 to be dischargedout and around the combustion chamber discharge conduit 105 to aid inmaintaining the area surrounding the combustion chamber sufficientlycooled during an incinerating operation.

As shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 6, 10 and 11, the incinerating commode includesa number of electrically operable control elements for use incontrolling cyclic operation ofthe incinerating commode. FIGS. 2, l and11 shows a latch mechanism 300 for use in maintaining the commodeclosure lid 35 in a closed latched position during an incineratingoperation. Latch mechanism 300 includes a latching block 301 slidablysupported by a pair of angle track elements 302, 303 beneath housing top16. Latchingblock 301 is adapted to be moved from an unlatched positionhorizontally displaced relative to control lever 206, to a latchposition supported in alignment with and operable for blockingcounter-clockwise movement of central lever 206. Movement of latchingblock 301 is controlled by a pair of solenoids 304, 305 which supports acommon reciprocatically operable plunger 306. Plunger 306 is connectedto a bracket 307 which is fixed to latching block 301. Operation ofsolenoid 304 will effect movement of latching block 301 to the alignedcontrol lever blocking position and operation of solenoid 305 willeffect movement of latching block 301 to an unlatched position.

As shown in FIGS. and 11, the solenoid plunger 306 is operativelyassociated with a double pole switch means 310, such that when solenoid304 is operated to move the latching block to a latching position,switch 310 will be moved to an on current conducting position andoperation of solenoid 305 will effect movement of switch 310 to an ofnonconducting position. One pole of switch 310 is operatively connectedto blower motor 265 and a second pole of switch 310 is operativelyconnected to the comminuting drive motor 147. Cornminuting drive motor147 also includes a second switch means 311 (FIGS. 4, 6 and 11) which islocated adjacent housing side wall 15 and in alignment with comminutingplate support rod 158. Switch 311 is moved to an of nonconductingposition when contacted by rod 158 and will ensure that the comminutingplates 122, 123 are always stopped in an outermost horizontally spacedposition after completion of an incinerating cycle of operation.

Operation of solenoid 304 is controlled by switch means 312 (FIGS. 2 and11) which is supported above a rightmost extended end of latch controllever 230 and is operable for sensing when the latching link 221 hasmoved to a latching position after closure of lid 190. Operation ofsolenoid 305 for moving the latching block to an unlatched position iscontrolled by a low temperature sensing switch means 313 which islocated of the outside of combustion pot wall 113. Low temperaturesensing switch 313 is a conventional pulse operable switch and isoperable for conducting an operating pulse to solenoid 305 when thetemperature of the combustion pot has droped to a predeterminedtemperature after an incinerating operation.

The incinerating commode control means includes a conventional fire boxcontrol means 315 (FIGS. 2 and 11) which is operatively connected tomixing valve 182 and burner nozzle for controlling the input of fuel andthe ignition of burner nozzle 180 during an incinerating operation. Asshown in FIG. 11, fire control box 315 is electrically connected inseries with an air flow operating switch 316 and a high temperaturesensing switch 317. The air flow sensing switch 316 is located in thedischarge conduit 105 and is operable for sensing operation of theblower means 260, 270 and ensures that the burner nozzle cannot beoperated without the blower means operating. High temperature sensingswitch 317 is located on the outside combustion pot wall 113 adjacentlow temperature sensing switch 313 and is operable to sense a hightemperature of the combustion pot which would be set to ensure that allthe waste contained in the combustion pot had been completelyincinerated and after a predetermined high temperature had been sensed,would operate to stop the operation of burner nozzle 180. Hightemperature sensing switch 317 is operatively associated with solenoid238 and will operate when a predetermined high temperature is sensed toconduct an operating pulse to solenoid 238 for effecting movement oflatching link 221 to an unlatched position to allow spring 194 to movelid to an open position. Movement of lid to an open position will permitboth of the blowers 260, 270 to direct air flow through the combustionchamber for cooling and purging the combustion chamber.

As shown in FIG. 11, the control circuitry includes an on and of mastercontrol switch 320 and a lamp means 325. Lamp means 325 is on anytimethe blower means 260, 270 are operating to direct air flow throughdischarge conduit 105 for operating air flow sensing switch 316.

OPERATION In utilizing the incinerating commode embodying the principlesof the present invention, the commode lid 35 is raised to an upwardlyopened position, the closure lid 190 is in a rearwardly retractedposition and the combustion pot lid 170 is in a pivoted upwardly openposition to permit human waste deposited in the commode body to betransferred by gravity through the transfer conduit means 250 into thecombustion pot 110. After waste has been deposited in the combustion pot110 a waste incinerating operation is initiated by first effectingoperation of the cleansing fluid dispensing control switch 55 to cause apredetermined amount of cleansing fluid to be dispensed through manifold50 to effectively cleanse the side walls 21-24 of the commode body withthe cleansing fluid being discharged through opening 25, downwardlythrough transfer conduit means 250 into the combustion pot 110.

After the cleansing fluid actuating switch 55 has been operated, theclosure lid 35 is moved to a horizontal commode closed position. Duringmovement of lid 35 to the closed position, the actuator linkage 200 willcause control lever 206 to be pivoted in a clockwise direction (FIG. 2)so that the actuator member 210 will contact the rear edge of lidbracket 190a, causing lid 190 to be advanced forward to a closedposition. After lid 190 reaches a closed position, the latching link 221will be spring biased by solenoid compression spring 239, control lever230 to a downwardly displaced lid latching position to hold lid 190 in aforwardly displaced latched position during an incinerating operation.When latching link 221 moves to a latching position, lever 230 willeffect operation of switch 312 to energize solenoid 304, causing the lidlatching block 301 to move to a latching position and moving switch 310to an on' conducting position. Operation of switch 310 will supply powerto blower motor 265 and comminuting plate drive motor 147. After blowers260, 170 have been started air flow sensing switch 316 will operate toallow fire control box to effect operation of the mixing valve 182 andignition of burner nozzle 180 such that a pressurized flame source willbe directed into the combustion chamber as described above.

The burner nozzle 180 will continue to operate until the high sensorswitch 317 senses a predetermined high temperature which would indicatethat the solid and liquid waste contained in the combustion pot 110 hasbeen effectively incinerated. When the high temperature sensor switch317 senses a predetermined temperature which would indicate that thesolid and liquid waste contained in the combustion pot 110 had beeneffectively incinerated. When the high temperature sensor switch 317senses a predetermined temperature, a control signal will be suppliedthrough fire control box 300 to cause the mixing valve 182 to stop theflow of fuel to the burner nozzle 180, thus allowing the burner nozzle180 to be distinguished. The control signal produced by high sensorswitch 317 will also control a supply of input power to solenoid 238which will energize the effect clockwise angular displacement of lever230 to lift the latching link 221 upwardly to an unlatched position sothat tension spring 194 will return closure 190 to an open position.Simultaneously with the movement of closure lid 190 to an openedposition, the counterweight 224 will effect angular displacement of lid170 to an upwardly extended open position.

The blower means 260, 270 will continue to operate after the flamedeveloped in the burner nozzle has been distinguished causing the airforced through the burner nozzle 180 and the air from blower 260 to coolthe combustion chamber 100. The combustion chamber will be cooled to apredetermined low temperature which is sensed by low temperature sensingelement 314. When low temperature sensing switch 314 is operated, apulse will be supplied to solenoid 305 causing the latching block 301 tobe displaced to an unlatching position and moving switch 310 to an off"position to stop operation of motors 147, 265. When the blower motor 265is stopped, airflow through discharge conduit will stop to open air flowsensing switch 316 and turning off lamp means 325 to indicate that anincinerating operation has been completed.

It now becomes apparent that the incinerating commode embodying theprinciples of the present invention is capable of obtaining the abovestated objects and advantages. It is obvious that those skilled in theart may make modifications in the details of construction withoutdeparting from the spirit of the invention which is to be limited onlyby the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. An incinerating commode for use in disposing of human wastecomprising, in combination:

a. a commode body defining means permitting human waste to be introducedtherein;

b. a combustion chamber operatively associated with said commode body,said combustion chamber including a liquid and solid waste confiningcombustion pot for receiving and confining said waste introduced intosaid commode body;

cylically operable heat source means operatively associated with saidcombustion chamber for incinerating waste contained therein, said heatsource means detailed for developing an incinerating flame into andbeneath said combustion pot;

means operatively associated with said combustion pot for reducing theparticle size of waste to be incinerated, said waste reducing meansincludes a pair of comminuting plates reciprocally supported within saidcombustion pot and reciprocally operable with respect to each other foreffecting a reduction of the particle size of waste supported in saidpot between said plates; and,

. means for initiating a cycle of operation of said heat source meansand said waste reducing means.

2. An incinerating commode as defined it claim 1 further characterizedin that said combustion pot includes a downwardly and rewardly slopingbottom wall means curving upwardly to form a rear wall, with a pair ofhorizontally spaced vertically oriented side walls extending betweenside edges of the bottom and rear wall, said comminuting plates havinglongitudinal dimensions complimentary to the curvature of said bottomand rear wall, and wherein said heat source means is supported in aposition for directing an incinerating flame above and below said potbottom wall means.

3. An incinerating commode as defined in claim 1 further characterizedin that said commode includes means operatively associated with saidcombustion chamber for automatically purging said combustion chamber ofthe gas and ash by-products of combustion in response to completion ofan incinerating operation.

4. An incinerating commode as described in claim 3 further characterizedin that said automatic purging means includes blower means operativelyassociated with said combustion chamber and including means fordirecting a flow of air from said blower means through said combustionchamber after a predetermined cycle of incinerating operation.

5. An incinerating commode as described in claim 4 further characterizedin that said combustion chamber includes means establishing an air flowpassageway surrounding said combustion chamber and wherein blower meansis operatively associated with said combustion chamber for directing aflow of air through said passageway to cool the combustion chamberduring an incinerating operation and wherein means is operativelyassociated with said blower means and said combustion chamber fordirecting a flow of air from said blower means through said combustionchamber to perform said automatic purging operation in response tocompletion of a predetermined cycle of operation of said heat sourcemeans.

6. An incinerating commode as described in claim 5 further characterizedin that purging operation is operable in response to means sensing apredetermined high temperature of said combustion chamber and wherein anincinerating cycle of operation is completed in response to sensing apredetermined low temperature in said combustion chamber.

7. An incinerating commode as described in claim 1 further characterizedin that said combustion chamber includes means for trapping liquid wastematerial introduced therein and for holding said liquid waste materialat a location whereby the intense heat developed in said combustionchamber during an incinerating operation will evaporate said liquidwaste.

8. An incinerating commode as described in claim 1 further characterizedin that said combustion chamber includes means defining an air flowpassageway surrounding said combustion chamber, a first blower meansoperatively associated with said combustion chamber for directing a flowof cooling air in said passageway surrounding said combustion chamber, asecond blower means operatively associated with said combustion chamberfor directing the heat source means into said combustion chamber andwherein said first blower means and said second blower means arecyclically controlled and collectively operable for directing a flow ofair through said combustion chamber after a predetermined cycle ofoperation of said heat source' means whereby said flow of air will purgesaid combustion chamber of gas and ash by-products of combustion, andwherein an automatic purging operation is initiated in response tocontrol means sensing a predetermined high temperature in saidcombustion chamber and is stopped in response to sensing a predeterminedlow temperature in said combustion chamber.

9. An incinerating commode for use in disposing of human wastecomprising, in combination:

a. a commode body defining means permitting human waste to be introducedtherein and including first closure means supported above said commodebody and selective movable between opened and closed position;

b. a combustion chamber located below and operatively associated withsaid commode body, said combustion chamber including a combustion potfor receiving and confining said waste introduced into said commodebody;

c. cyclically operable heat source means operatively associated withsaid combustion chamber for incinerating waste contained therein;

waste confining lid means operatively associated with said combustionpot and moveable between opened waste receiving and closed wasteconfining positions and operable when moved to said closed wasteconfining position for forcing paper used in a waste depositingoperation into said combustion pot. said first closure means includingmeans for effecting movement of said waste confining lid means betweensaid opened and closed positions; and g e. control means for initiatinga cycle of operation of said heat source means in response to movementof said additional closure means to said closed position.

10. An incinerating commode as defined in claim 9 further characterizedin that said commode includes additional closure means operable betweenopened and closed positions and operatively associated with said commodebetween said waste confining lid and said first closure means, saidadditional closure means being operable in response, to closing saidfirst closure means to effect movement of said waste confining lid tosaid closed position, and wherein said commode includes means operablefor latching said additional closure means in said closed position, andmeans for latching said first closure means in a closed position, andwherein said first closure latching means is operable in response tomovement of said additional closure latch means to a latched position.

11. An incinerating commode as defined in claim 10 further characterizedin that said commode includes blower means operable for developing apressurized heat source and for cooling and purging said combustionchamber after an incinerating operation, and wherein operation of saidblower means is initiated in response to movement of said first closurelatching means to said latched position.

12. An incinerating commode as defined in claim 11 further characterizedin that said commode include means for sensing operation of said blowermeans, and wherein a cycle of operation of said heat source means isinitiated in response to sensing operation of said blower means.

13. An incinerating'commode as defined in claim 12 further characterizedin that said combustion chamber includes means for sensing apredetermined high temperature and means for sensing a predetermined lowtemperature, and wherein operation of said heat source means is stoppedand a cooling and purging cycle is initiated in response to said meanssensing a predetermined high temperature within said combustion chamher,with said cooling and purging cycle being stopped in response to saidmeans sensing a predetermined low temperature. I

14. An incinerating commode as defined in claim 13 further characterizedin that said additional closure latching means is moved to an unlatchedposition in response to said means sensing a predetermined hightemperature.

15. An incinerating commode as defined in claim 14 further characterizedin that said first closure latching means is moved to an unlatchedposition in response to said means sensing said predetermined lowtemperature.

1. An incinerating commode for use in disposing of human wastecomprising, in combination: a. a commode body defining means permittinghuman waste to be introduced therein; b. a combustion chamberoperatively associated with said commode body, said combustion chamberincluding a liquid and solid waste confining combustion pot forreceiving and confining said waste introduced into said commode body; c.cylically operable heat source means operatively associated with saidcombustion chamber for incinerating waste contained therein, said heatsource means detailed for developing an incinerating flame into andbeneath said combustion pot; d. means operatively associated with saidcombustion pot for reducing the particle size of waste to beincinerated, said waste reducing means includes a pair of comminutingplates reciprocally supported within said combustion pot andreciprocally operable with respect to each other for effecting areduction of the particle size of waste supported in said pot betweensaid plates; and, e. means for initiating a cycle of operation of saidheat source and said waste reducing means.
 2. An incinerating commode asdefined n claim 1 further characterized in that said combustion potincludes a downwardly and rewardly sloping bottom wall means curvingupwardly to form a rear wall, with a pair of horizontally spacedvertically oriented side walls extending between side edges of thebottom and rear wall, said comminuting plates having longitudinaldimensions complimentary to the curvature of said bottom and rear wall,and wherein said heat source means is supported in a position fordirecting an incinerating flame above and below said pot bottom wallmeans.
 3. An incinerating commode as defined in claim 1 furthercharacterized in that said commode includes means operatively associatedwith said combustion chamber for automatically purging said combustionchamber of the gas and ash by-products of combustion in response tocompletion of an incinerating operation.
 4. An incinerating commode asdescribed in claim 3 further characterized in that said automaticpurging means includes blower means operatively associated with saidcombustion chamber and including means for directing a flow of air fromsaid blower means through said combustion chamber after a predeterminedcycle of incinerating operation.
 5. An incinerating commode as describedin claim 4 further characterized in that said combustion chamberincludes means establishing an air flow passageway surrounding saidcombustion chamber and wherein blower means is operatively associatedwith said combustion chamber for directing a flow of air through saidpassageway to cool the combustion chamber during an incineratingoperation and wherein means is operatively associated with said blowermeans and said combustion chamber for directing a flow of air from saidblower means through said combustion chamber to perform said automaticpurging operation in response to completion of a predetermined cycle ofoperation of said heat source means.
 6. An incinerating commode asdescribed in claim 5 further characterized in that purging operation isoperable in response to means sensing a predetermined high temperatureof said combustion chamber and wherein an incinerating cycle ofoperation is completed in response to sensing a predetermined lowtemperature in said combustion chamber.
 7. An incinerating commode asdescribed in claim 1 further characterized in that said combustionchamber includes means for trapping liquid waste material introducedtherein and for holding said liquid waste material at a location wherebythe intense heat developed in said combustion chamber during anincinerating opEration will evaporate said liquid waste.
 8. Anincinerating commode as described in claim 1 further characterized inthat said combustion chamber includes means defining an air flowpassageway surrounding said combustion chamber, a first blower meansoperatively associated with said combustion chamber for directing a flowof cooling air in said passageway surrounding said combustion chamber, asecond blower means operatively associated with said combustion chamberfor directing the heat source means into said combustion chamber andwherein said first blower means and said second blower means arecyclically controlled and collectively operable for directing a flow ofair through said combustion chamber after a predetermined cycle ofoperation of said heat source means whereby said flow of air will purgesaid combustion chamber of gas and ash by-products of combustion, andwherein an automatic purging operation is initiated in response tocontrol means sensing a predetermined high temperature in saidcombustion chamber and is stopped in response to sensing a predeterminedlow temperature in said combustion chamber.
 9. An incinerating commodefor use in disposing of human waste comprising, in combination: a. acommode body defining means permitting human waste to be introducedtherein and including first closure means supported above said commodebody and selective movable between opened and closed position; b. acombustion chamber located below and operatively associated with saidcommode body, said combustion chamber including a combustion pot forreceiving and confining said waste introduced into said commode body; c.cyclically operable heat source means operatively associated with saidcombustion chamber for incinerating waste contained therein; d. wasteconfining lid means operatively associated with said combustion pot andmoveable between opened waste receiving and closed waste confiningpositions and operable when moved to said closed waste confiningposition for forcing paper used in a waste depositing operation intosaid combustion pot, said first closure means including means foreffecting movement of said waste confining lid means between said openedand closed positions; and e. control means for initiating a cycle ofoperation of said heat source means in response to movement of saidadditional closure means to said closed position.
 10. An incineratingcommode as defined in claim 9 further characterized in that said commodeincludes additional closure means operable between opened and closedpositions and operatively associated with said commode between saidwaste confining lid and said first closure means, said additionalclosure means being operable in response to closing said first closuremeans to effect movement of said waste confining lid to said closedposition, and wherein said commode includes means operable for latchingsaid additional closure means in said closed position, and means forlatching said first closure means in a closed position, and wherein saidfirst closure latching means is operable in response to movement of saidadditional closure latch means to a latched position.
 11. Anincinerating commode as defined in claim 10 further characterized inthat said commode includes blower means operable for developing apressurized heat source and for cooling and purging said combustionchamber after an incinerating operation, and wherein operation of saidblower means is initiated in response to movement of said first closurelatching means to said latched position.
 12. An incinerating commode asdefined in claim 11 further characterized in that said commode includemeans for sensing operation of said blower means, and wherein a cycle ofoperation of said heat source means is initiated in response to sensingoperation of said blower means.
 13. An incinerating commode as definedin claim 12 further characterized in that said combustion chamberincludes means for sensing a predetermined high temperature and meansfor sensiNg a predetermined low temperature, and wherein operation ofsaid heat source means is stopped and a cooling and purging cycle isinitiated in response to said means sensing a predetermined hightemperature within said combustion chamber, with said cooling andpurging cycle being stopped in response to said means sensing apredetermined low temperature.
 14. An incinerating commode as defined inclaim 13 further characterized in that said additional closure latchingmeans is moved to an unlatched position in response to said meanssensing a predetermined high temperature.
 15. An incinerating commode asdefined in claim 14 further characterized in that said first closurelatching means is moved to an unlatched position in response to saidmeans sensing said predetermined low temperature.